About me
Hello, my name is Hannah. I am a qualified Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor, EMDR and Adoption therapist, both UKCP accredited and MBACP registered.
I have worked as a psychotherapist for over 19 years across a range of settings, including NHS Substance Misuse Services, GP surgeries within primary care, the Hidden Violence Domestic Abuse Service within Portsmouth City Council, and children’s services, where I worked with young people aged 10–18 within a secure unit environment. For the last 14 years, I have worked exclusively in private practice, and more recently have specialised as an EMDR therapist.
At the heart of my work is a commitment to providing a warm, confidential, and emotionally safe therapeutic space. I understand how vulnerable it can feel to reach out for support or to open up to someone new. Because of this, I work gently and collaboratively, at a pace that feels right for you, always with respect for your experiences and boundaries.
Psychotherapy offers a confidential and supportive space to explore thoughts, feelings, patterns, and life experiences that may be impacting your wellbeing. Through a collaborative therapeutic relationship, we work together to develop understanding, resilience, and meaningful change. I work with a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties and am experienced in supporting people with complex and long-standing issues, including complex PTSD, trauma, addiction, and related challenges.
My approach is thoughtful and compassionate, helping people make sense of their experiences while developing the inner resources needed to move toward greater stability, choice, and wellbeing.
I believe that choosing to engage in therapy is a meaningful act of self-care and self-commitment. It reflects a desire to understand yourself more deeply and to move toward a life that feels more settled, fulfilling, and aligned with what you want for yourself.
I offer supportive guidance and practical skills to help you feel more grounded and stable - both within sessions and in everyday life. These tools can help you feel safer in your body and more present, especially when emotions or memories feel overwhelming.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a mind-and-body therapy that can bring about profound and lasting change. Our work begins by building a strong therapeutic relationship grounded in safety and trust. From there, we gently explore your life experiences through a timeline and work together using a clear EMDR protocol. I am always transparent about the process, so you know what to expect at every stage. I work with people seeking EMDR for experiences in both childhood and adulthood, including:
• One-off traumatic events (including PTSD), such as accidents or criminal incidents
• Ongoing or repeated trauma, including emotional, physical, or sexual abuse (C-PTSD)
• Traumatic birth experiences
• Loss, traumatic bereavement, and complicated grief
• Experiences from childhood or earlier in life that continue to impact the present
• Mood difficulties, including anxiety and low mood
• Loss of employment, role, or sense of identity
• Neurodivergent experiences
• Sleep difficulties
• Chronic illness and health-related trauma
• Relationship difficulties
• Confidence, self-esteem, and self-worth issues.
These experiences can leave lasting emotional and physical effects, often causing people to feel unsafe, disconnected, or “stuck.” Memories may be triggered by everyday stimuli, such as sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or even seasonal changes, impacting how you feel and function in the present moment.
EMDR has been shown to support the processing and healing of distressing past experiences, helping people move toward a greater sense of freedom, safety, and ease in their lives. I have witnessed many clients experience meaningful shifts in how they feel, relate to others, and live day-to-day. For many, this change feels both empowering and life-affirming.
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy and is approved by the NICE guidelines in the UK.
If you are considering EMDR and would like to explore whether it might be right for you, I aim to offer a space where you feel listened to, supported, and gently accompanied on your healing journey.
Training, qualifications & experience
Experience and Expertise
With a career spanning several leading institutions, including the NHS Substance Misuse Service and the Priory Hospitals in Southampton and Woking. I bring extensive experience as a Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor, and Group Facilitator. My work with Portsmouth City Council’s Domestic Abuse Department and Barnardo’s Adoption Services reflects both versatility and a deep commitment to fostering meaningful, lasting change.
Qualifications and Professional Training
My professional practice is grounded in a strong academic foundation and a dedication to lifelong learning.
Advanced Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy and Transactional Analysis at Master’s level and UKCP accredited from The Link Centre. Brighton.
BA (Hons) in Counselling from the University of Winchester.
Diploma in Humanistic Counselling and Psychotherapy from the University of Chichester,
Diploma in Clinical Supervision The Link Centre. Brighton
EMDR Europe standard accredited training. EMDR Europe Association.
In addition, I have undertaken specialist training in addiction therapy, Trauma-Informed Practice, and Relate Couples work.
Commitment to Ongoing Development
I actively engage in continuous professional development to ensure the highest standards of care. My advanced training includes areas such as working with survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation and understanding offending behaviours, enabling me to respond sensitively and effectively to a wide range of complex emotional needs.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
My services provide a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore and work through a variety of issues, including, but not limited to:
sex working and sex workers
Pre-bereavement and anticipatory loss
Bereavement related to the loss of a pet or animal
Coping with terminal illness for oneself or a loved one
Suicidal ideation and feelings
General feelings of loss
Shame and negative self-perception
Body image concerns
Isolation and feelings of disconnectedness
Homesickness and adjustment to new environments
Retirement and the transition to a new phase of life
Personal development and self-awareness
Emotional eating and binge eating
Counselling for students
Through my counselling services, individuals will have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of their feelings, develop coping mechanisms and tools to manage their emotions, and ultimately improve their overall well-being.
Therapies offered
Fees
£95.00 - £165.00
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Fees: Individual Therapy: £95 per 50-minute session. (Enquire about concessions for those on lower incomes)
Couples/Joint Therapy: £145 per 60-minute session
Family Therapy: £205 per sixty minute session (family up to four people)
EMDR Therapy: Initial Assessment Session (90 minutes): £165
Ongoing EMDR Sessions: £110 per 60-minute session
Weekend Sessions: are available on request. These are charged at £245 per fifty minute sessions on Saturday and Sundays.
Reports and Documentation: Report writing, letters and documentation are charged from £155 per hour, with careful and thorough attention to detail.
Cancellation Policy
A minimum of five working days’ notice is required for cancellations.
Cancellations made with less notice will be charged at the full agreed session fee.
Appointments and Enquiries
Email: h.l.simpson@hotmail.com
Telephone: 07775 613133
When I work
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Further information
My practice is located in the PO14 area.
Clients please ring the buzzer at the gates at my practice for entrance.
wheelchair accessible
